Atom Egoyan("The Sweet Hereafter")'s 1994 film did not recieve the same attention that "Hereafter" did, but it has gained a cult following from fans of the director. It's unfortunate that Miramax sold the film as if it was some sort of late night cable thriller, because it's far more than that. "Exotica" spins around a nightclub where a group of characters are brought together through ties to the club. We're introduced to the characters; Christina, a young dancer who performs often for a lonely auditor named Francis (Bruce Greenwood); Thomas, a pet-store owner and the DJ of the club; played very well by Elias Koteas, who was also excellent in "The Thin Red Line". Through jealousy and emotion, the story falls back on itself, making these people who seemed like strangers closer and closer together. As details are revealed, layers come into view. These are not bad people, these are lonely people who are in pain. Francis and Christina share an unspoken bond, and he wants nothing more than to have her in front of him. While these characters intentions seem at once simple, there is always the feeling as if there's more that's still unsaid. It's that unsure feeling of what will happen next that makes "Exotica" watchable.

By the end, everyone may not be sympathetic for these characters, but the story has pulled the threads of their tales together in an interesting and entertaining way with a suprising ending. Good performances, fine writing and excellent direction make "Exotica" worth a rental if you're a fan of Egoyan's work and never saw this film, or if you're a fan of darker character films like this. "Exotica" also features an early performance from Sarah Polley, who was fantastic in this year's "Go".